Sorority suspended after video surfaces of members mocking historically Black organization: 'I'm disgusted'
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) suspended a sorority after footage surfaced of its members mocking the rituals of Zeta Phi Beta, one of the organizations that make up the Divine Nine, a group of historically Black fraternities and sororities.
Footage of the incident circulated widely on social media. It shows multiple white members of Omega Zeta Pi laughing while mimicking the hand signs of Zeta Phi Beta.
Kahlil Greene, a creator who is best known for his posts about America’s hidden history, called out the clip in a now-viral TikTok, explaining the significance of the Zeta Phi Beta rituals and condemning the students who made fun of them.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, what those white women were mocking is called a stroll, which is a group performance routine created by members of the Divine Nine to represent their respective organization,” Greene explained. “They were also mocking signs and calls, which serve a similar purpose.”
The organizations that make up the Divine Nine, formally referred to as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), have rich histories and traditions rooted in culture.
The creation of these nine organizations provided Black students a place to seek community and friendship during the Jim Crow era when other Greek organizations barred them from joining. Five formed at Howard University between 1920 and 1930, including Zeta Phi Beta.
“Each of the nine NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals,” the organization’s website states.
The University of Central Arkansas’ guide on Greek life terminology urges students never to imitate an organization’s call or sign. It also asks students to avoid both imitating another group’s stroll and cutting in between members of a line.
“That is considered a sign of disrespect,” the guide said of all the above actions.
As Greene explained in his TikTok, Divine Nine sororities and fraternities hold their traditions so sacred that they would never mimic each other’s strolls, signs or calls.
“If an org started strolling at an event or a party, you immediately clear the way for them,” he added. “No questions.”
TikTokers were angry over the video, with some urging the university to take action against the women in the clip.
“Mocking such a beautiful and powerful tradition deserves some nasty karma for sure,” one user wrote.
“They should be suspended,” commented another. “But I’d be surprised if anything happens to them.”
“As a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, I’m disgusted to see such disrespect from another organization,” said a user. “Truly disappointing.”
“This was so educational and beautiful,” commented another user, taking a moment to recognize Greene’s expert explanation. “So sad that sorority girls would disrespect a sign of sisterhood from another sorority.”
At the end of his video, Greene also included a brief example of what a real Zeta Phi Beta stroll looks like when done properly by its members. For another clear example, here is a video of Zeta Phi Beta at Tuskegee University competing in a Stroll Off in 2016.
After the video gained traction on social media, SCSU President Joe Bertolino released a statement saying that Omega Zeta Pi’s chapter at the school is suspended immediately, pending an independent investigation. It’s a move that Zeta Phi Beta called for when the video surfaced, WVIT-TV reported.
Bertolino promised to implement “a number of practical steps to enhance Greek life on campus,” such as “cultural education and anti-racism training for all incoming Greek life members.”
He also pledged to hire a more diverse range of faculty and staff, recruit more students of color from underrepresented communities, and provide tutoring and other resources to local, underserved schools.
“I have the greatest respect for this sorority’s heritage and traditions,” Bertolino wrote in a message shared on Twitter. “As such, I am deeply concerned about the pain that this incident has caused to their membership and that of other Multicultural Greek Organizations, as well as individuals of color across our campus community.”
“I hope the concrete steps taken by my administration will advance the immediate and systemic changes needed to better support and protect students of color on our campus,” he added.
Omega Zeta Pi, a local Greek organization founded at SCSU in 2004, has since deactivated its Facebook account.
In The Know has reached out to Zeta Phi Beta for comment.
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